Abstract
Efforts are underway to develop a left ventricular assist pump and total artificial heart for use in patients with end-stage cardiac disease. The blood-handling material in both devices is a smooth elastomer of the segmented polyurethane family that has excellent mechanical, chemical, and biological properties when used in animal studies. However, a persistent problem with any artificial blood-handling device is activation of the coagulation system and the development of thrombo-emboli.Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the microtopography of the plastic surfaces for baseline information and to compare the effects of different fabrication techniques upon surface finish prior to implantation of assist devices in bovines. Defining surface smoothness is difficult, but it is believed that thrombo-resistant surfaces must not have any defects larger than the diameter of blood platelets (2-4μm).
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Schedule a callMore From: Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America
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